Fishing Derby Hooks Them Young

Luther Village's Annual Event Reels In The Next Generation

July 04, 1996|By Kelly Womer.

Arlington Heights — Steven Badgley's first fishing trip quickly reeled him into the sport. Within a half-hour of throwing out his line, Steven caught three largemouth bass--each measuring about a foot long. But since he's only 2 years old, he won't be telling any fish stories for awhile.

"He's a natural," said Lee Badgley, Steven's father, who lives in Elk Grove Village. "He has a small hook and a big worm and starts reeling in when he feels like it. Our little boy is having a blast."

So were three generations of Steven's family, who cheered him on during the second annual fishing derby at Luther Village, a retirement community with a spring-fed pond in the middle of its 60-acre park-like campus.

Steven's parents and grandmother joined his great-grandfather, who lives at Luther Village, to vie with 75 anglers trying to hook the varieties of bass, sunfish, blue gill and catfish stocked in the pond. "He's a good little fisherman," said Earl Syversten, 87, Steven's great-grandfather. "It's nice to have family come out for this."

The intergenerational tournament brought other families together and gave residents a chance to meet their neighbors as they gathered around the pond. "This gives them relaxation, enjoyment and friendship with one another," said Barbara Haxton, activities assistant for Luther Village. "The residents requested that we have a fishing derby. They didn't want to fish by themselves and wanted their sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren here."

Dorothea Brieschke, 78, and her 8-year-old grandson, Tim Seal, squabbled over who had to pick up the slimy worm and put it on the hook. "It's never too late to learn," said Brieschke, who had never been fishing before. "This is just nice to have my grandson around."

Other residents stayed on the sidelines and let their children and grandchildren do all the work. Edith Leider sat in a lawn chair under a tree as she watched her grandson catch his line on rocks instead of fish. "I like fishing sometimes when I can stay out of the rocks," said Erik Leider, 12, who lives in Arlington Heights.

An official from the state Department of Conservation measured each catch to determine who would win the awards for the largest, smallest and most fish. The prizes included a fishing net, flashlights, buckets and other gear.

Joe Molitor, 8, went fishing with his grandparents and father, who showed him a few tricks of the trade. "This is a great day and fun for him because he has been dying to go fishing," said Tom Molitor of Arlington Heights, Joe's father.

Some residents used the derby to pass along their love of fishing to the next generation. "I've been fishing all my life," said Bob Pfiester, 78. "It's relaxing and a good sport. This is an opportunity to be with my grandchildren."